Degrees:

• B.S. Biology – California University of Pennsylvania, 2000
• M.S. Biology – California University of Pennsylvania, 2002
• Ph.D. Biology – Duquesne University, 2006
• Postdoctoral – University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2006-2011

Courses:

• BIO 124 – Biological Principles
• BIO 216 – Microbiology for Healthcare Professional
• BIO 220 – Scientific Methodologies
• BIO 325 – General Microbiology
• BIO 461 – Molecular Biology Laboratory
• BIO 462/562 – Microbial Pathogenesis
• BIO 472/572 – Cell Biology
• BIO 478 – Special Topics – Fluorescence Microscopy
• BIO 478 – Special Topics – Scientific Manuscript Writing
• BIO 510 – Research Skills
• BIO 525 – Graduate Seminar
• PA 504 – Research I
• PA 505 – Research II

Current Research Projects:

I am interested in investigating erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis.  My laboratory also explores natural products with the goal of identifying new antibiotics and immunostimulatory compounds.

Publications:

(student authors are underlined)

Cantlay S, Haggerty K, Horzempa J. OpiA, a Type Six Secretion System Substrate, Localizes to the Cell Pole and Plays a Role in Bacterial Growth and Viability in Francisella tularensis LVS. J Bacteriol. 2020 Jun 25;202(14):e00048-20. doi: 10.1128/JB.00048-20. PMID: 32366588; PMCID: PMC7317039.

Nau GJ, Horzempa J, O’Dee D, Brown MJ, Russo BC, Hernandez A, Dillon ST, Cheng J, Kane LP, Sanker S, Hukriede NA. A predicted Francisella tularensis DXD-motif glycosyltransferase blocks immune activation. Virulence. 2019 Dec;10(1):643-656. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1631662. PMID: 31314675

Brothers KM, Callaghan JD, Stella NA, Bachinsky JM, Al Higaylan M, Lehner KL, Franks JM, Lathrop KL, Collins E, Schmitt DM, Horzempa J, Shanks RMQ. Blowing epithelial cell bubbles with GumB: ShlA-family pore-forming toxins induce blebbing and rapid cellular death in corneal epithelial cells. PLoS Pathog. 2019 Jun 20;15(6):e1007825. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007825. eCollection 2019 Jun. PMID: 31220184

Rogerson T, Houston A 2nd, Lyman G, Ogden J, Paschall K, Penaranda M, Rios A, Wetzel R, Horzempa J^.  Factors associated with the prevalence of neonatal abstinence syndrome in West Virginia. J Opioid Manag. 2018 Nov/Dec;14(6):445-452. doi: 10.5055/jom.2018.0477.  PMID: 30629281 ^corresponding author

Moore S, Clark C, Haught A, Hinde B, Reckner D, Robinson J, Graham-West A, Wigal W, Childers W, Horzempa J^, Factors Associated with Academic Performance in Physician Assistant Graduate Programs and National Certification Examination Scores. A Literature Review, Health Professions Education 2018, In Press. ISSN 2452-3011, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpe.2018.06.003.

Eklund BE, Mahdi O, Huntley JF, Collins E, Martin C, Horzempa J, Fisher NA.  The orange spotted cockroach (Blaptica dubia, Serville 1839) is a permissive experimental host for Francisella tularensis.  Proc West Virginia Acad Sci. 2017 89:3.

Schmitt DM, Barnes R, Rogerson T, Haught A, Mazzella LK, Ford M, Gilson T, Birch JW, Sjöstedt A, Reed DS, Franks JM, Stolz DB, Denvir J, Fan J, Rekulapally S, Primerano DA, Horzempa J^. The Role and Mechanism of Erythrocyte Invasion by Francisella tularensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2017 May 9;7:173. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00173. eCollection 2017.PMID: 28536678. ^corresponding author

Kenney A, Cusick A, Payne J, Gaughenbaugh A, Renshaw A, Wright J, Seeber R, Barnes R, Florjanczyk A, Horzempa J^. The potential for flower nectar to allow mosquito to mosquito transmission of Francisella tularensis. PLoS One. 2017 May 9;12(5):e0175157. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175157. eCollection 2017.PMID: 28486521. ^corresponding author

Laslo J, Brunner JM, Burns D, Butler E, Cunningham A, Killpack R, Pyeritz C, Rinard K, Childers J, Horzempa J^. An overview of available drugs for management of opioid abuse during pregnancy. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. 2017 Feb 10;3:4. doi: 10.1186/s40748-017-0044-2. eCollection 2017. Review. PMID: 28203387. ^corresponding author

Eckard C, Asbury C, Boldoc B, Camerlengo C, Gotthardt J, Healy L, Waialae L, Zeigler C, Childers J, Horzempa J^. The Integration of Technology into Treatment Programs to Aid in the Reduction of Chronic Pain.  Journal of Pain Management and Medicine. 2016; 2:118.^corresponding author

Schmitt DM, Connolly KL, Jerse AE, Detrick MS, Horzempa J^. Antibacterial activity of resazurin-based compounds against Neisseria gonorrhoeae in vitro and in vivo.  International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 2016;48(4): 367-27. 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2016.06.009. Epub 2016 Jul 19. PMID:27451856 ^corresponding author

Sagun S, Collins E, Martin C, Nolan EJ, Horzempa J^.  Alarm odor compounds of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug exhibit antibacterial activity. J Pharmacogn Nat Prod. 2016; 2: 119. doi:10.4172/2472-0992.1000119 ^corresponding author

Florjanczyk A, Barnes R, Kenney A, Horzempa J^. Soluble material secreted from Penicillium chrysogenum isolate exhibits antifungal activity against Cryphonectria parasitica– the causative agent of the American Chestnut Blight. Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology. 2016;7(4):348. doi:10.4172/2157-7471.1000348. PMCID: PMC4890969 ^corresponding author

Denniston E, Crewdson H, Rucinsky R, Stegman A, Remenar D, Moio K, Clark B, Higginbotham A, Keffer R, Brammer S, Horzempa J^.  The Practical Consideration of Poliovirus as an Oncolytic Virotherapy.  American Journal of Virology. 2016 In press. ^corresponding author

Finkel J, Cira C, Mazzella L, Bartyzel J, Ramanna A, Strimel K, Waturuocha A, Musser N, Burress J, Brammer S, Wetzel R,  Horzempa J^.  Adequate Vitamin D3 Supplementation During Pregnancy: Decreasing the Prevalence of Asthma and Food Allergies.  Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition. 2015 Dec 28; 2:1 doi:10.4172/mpn.1000105. PMCID: PMC4871275  ^corresponding author

Loughman K, Hall J, Knowlton S, Sindeldecker D, Gilson T, Schmitt DM, Birch JW, Gajtka T, Kobe BN, Florjanczyk A, Ingram J, Bakshi CS, Horzempa J^. Temperature-Dependent Gentamicin Resistance of Francisella tularensis is Mediated by Uptake Modulation. Front Microbiol. 2016 Jan 28;7:37. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00037. eCollection 2016. PMID: 26858709.  PMCID: PMC4729955.  ^corresponding author

Beheshti A, Lucas L, Dunz T, Haydash M, Chiodi H, Edmiston B, Ford C, Bohn N, Stein JH, Berrett A, Sobota B, Horzempa J^.  An Evaluation of Naloxone Use for Opioid Overdoses in West Virginia: A Literature Review.  American Medical Journal.  2015 Jul 9;6(1):9-13. PMID: 26692957.  PMCID: PMC4675355. ^corresponding author

Aston R, Durkin A, Harris K, Mace A, Moore S, Smith B, Soult E, Wright M, Yothers D, Latos D, Horzempa J^.  Considerations for a Primary Care Physician Assistant in Treating Kidney Transplant Recipients. Quality in Primary Care 2015 Feb; 23(1): 40-6. PMID: 26681927.  PMCID: PMC4677824. ^corresponding author

Robinson CM, Kobe BN, Schmitt DM, Phair B, Gilson T, Jung JY, Roberts L, Liao J, Camerlengo C, Chang B, Davis M, Figurski L, Sindeldecker D, Horzempa J^. Genetic engineering of Francisella tularensis LVS for use as a novel live vaccine platform against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Bioengineered. 2015 Mar 4;6(2):82-8. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2015.1011033. PMID: 25617059. PMCID: PMC4601302.  ^corresponding author

Schmitt DM, O’Dee DM, Cowan BN, Birch JW, Mazzella LK, Nau GJ, Horzempa J^. The use of resazurin as a novel antimicrobial agent against Francisella tularensis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2013 Dec 6;3:93. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00093. eCollection 2013. PMID: 24367766; PMCID: PMC3853850. ^corresponding author

Kraft JD*, Horzempa J*, Davis C, Jung JY, Peña MM, Robinson CM. Neonatal macrophages express elevated levels of interleukin-27 that oppose immune responses. Immunology. 2013 Aug;139(4):484-93. doi: 10.1111/imm.12095. PMID: 23464355; PMCID: PMC3719065. *These authors contributed equally

Schmitt DM, O’Dee DM, Brown MJ, Horzempa J, Russo BC, Morel PA, Nau GJ. Role of NK cells in host defense against pulmonary type A Francisella tularensis infection. Microbes Infect. 2013 Mar;15(3):201-11. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2012.11.008. Epub 2012 Dec 1. PMID: 23211929.

Schmitt DM, O’Dee DM, Horzempa J, Carlson PE Jr, Russo BC, Bales JM, Brown MJ, Nau GJ. A Francisella tularensis live vaccine strain that improves stimulation of antigen-presenting cells does not enhance vaccine efficacy. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31172. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031172. Epub 2012 Feb 15. PMID: 22355343; PMCID: PMC3280287.

Russo BC, Horzempa J, O’Dee DM, Schmitt DM, Brown MJ, Carlson PE Jr, Xavier RJ, Nau GJ. A Francisella tularensis locus required for spermine responsiveness is necessary for virulence. Infect Immun. 2011 Sep;79(9):3665-76. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00135-11. Epub 2011 Jun 13. PMID: 21670171;  PMCID: PMC3165480.

Horzempa J, O’Dee DM, Stolz DB, Franks JM, Clay D, Nau GJ. Invasion of erythrocytes by Francisella tularensis. J Infect Dis. 2011 Jul 1;204(1):51-9. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir221. PMID: 21628658; PMCID: PMC3105038.

Kalivoda EJ, Horzempa J, Stella NA, Sadaf A, Kowalski RP, Nau GJ, Shanks RM. New vector tools with a hygromycin resistance marker for use with opportunistic pathogens. Mol Biotechnol. 2011 May;48(1):7-14. doi: 10.1007/s12033-010-9342-x. PMID: 20972648; PMCID: PMC3617578.

Qutyan M, Henkel M, Horzempa J, Quinn M, Castric P. Glycosylation of pilin and nonpilin protein constructs by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244. J Bacteriol. 2010 Nov;192(22):5972-81. doi: 10.1128/JB.00007-10. Epub 2010 Sep 10. PMID: 20833803; PMCID: PMC2976441.

Horzempa J, O’Dee DM, Shanks RM, Nau GJ. Francisella tularensis ΔpyrF mutants show that replication in nonmacrophages is sufficient for pathogenesis in vivo. Infect Immun. 2010 Jun;78(6):2607-19. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00134-10. Epub 2010 Apr 12. PMID: 20385757; PMCID: PMC2876533.

Horzempa J, Shanks RM, Brown MJ, Russo BC, O’Dee DM, Nau GJ. Utilization of an unstable plasmid and the I-SceI endonuclease to generate routine markerless deletion mutants in Francisella tularensis. J Microbiol Methods. 2010 Jan;80(1):106-8. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.10.013. Epub 2009 Oct 29. PMID: 19879904; PMCID: PMC3034693.

Carlson PE Jr*, Horzempa J*, O’Dee DM*, Robinson CM, Neophytou P, Labrinidis A, Nau GJ. Global transcriptional response to spermine, a component of the intramacrophage environment, reveals regulation of Francisella gene expression through insertion sequence elements. J Bacteriol. 2009 Nov;191(22):6855-64. doi: 10.1128/JB.00995-09. Epub 2009 Sep 11. PMID: 19749055; PMCID: PMC2772466. *These authors contributed equally

Horzempa J, Carlson PE Jr, O’Dee DM, Shanks RM, Nau GJ. Global transcriptional response to mammalian temperature provides new insight into Francisella tularensis pathogenesis. BMC Microbiol. 2008 Oct 8;8:172. doi:10.1186/1471-2180-8-172. PMID: 18842136; PMC2576331.

Horzempa J, Held TK, Cross AS, Furst D, Qutyan M, Neely AN, Castric P. Immunization with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244 pilin provides O-antigen-specific protection. Clin Vaccine Immunol. 2008 Apr;15(4):590-7. doi: 10.1128/CVI.00476-07. Epub 2008 Feb 13. PMID: 18272666; PMCID: PMC2292668.

Horzempa J, Tarwacki DM, Carlson PE Jr, Robinson CM, Nau GJ. Characterization and application of a glucose-repressible promoter in Francisella tularensis. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2008 Apr;74(7):2161-70. doi: 10.1128/AEM.02360-07. Epub 2008 Feb 1. PMID: 18245238; PMCID: PMC2292608.

Horzempa J, Dean CR, Goldberg JB, Castric P. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244 pilin glycosylation: glycan substrate recognition. J Bacteriol. 2006 Jun;188(12):4244-52. PMID: 16740931; PMCID: PMC1482975.

Smedley JG 3rd*, Jewell E*, Roguskie J*, Horzempa J*, Syboldt A, Stolz DB, Castric P. Influence of pilin glycosylation on Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244 pilus  function. Infect Immun. 2005 Dec;73(12):7922-31. PMID: 16299283; PMCID: PMC1307089. *These authors contributed equally

Horzempa J, Comer JE, Davis SA, Castric P. Glycosylation substrate specificity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1244 pilin. J Biol Chem. 2006 Jan 13;281(2):1128-36. Epub 2005 Nov 11. PMID: 16286455; PMCID: PMC2248725.

Grants:

Active

Bacterial and host factors mediating red blood cell invasion by Francisella tularensis
1 R15 HL147135-01
$418,790
5/1/19 – 4/30/22

Arnett Hall Renovation Grant
WV-INBRE
$250,000
11/1/19 – 10/31/20

Chronic Disease Research Program Grant
WV-INBRE
$84,300
2020-2022

Center for Natural Products Research
WV-INBRE
$42,150
2019-2021

Completed

WV-INBRE Major Primarily Undergraduate Institution Research Grant
2017-2019
West Virginia INBRE
$351,250
Description: This grant funds investigations to identify molecular mediators of erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis – a bioterror bacterium.  These funds provide stipends to numerous undergraduate student scientists, a post-doctoral researcher, and allows for the purchase of lab supplies to carry out the proposed investigations.

Master Consulting Services Agreement
2017
Southern Research
$24,587.50
Description:  This provides funds to characterize novel insect models of infection to develop better, more efficient ways to discover antibiotics.  These funds pay stipends to two undergraduate researchers and allow for the purchase of supplies to investigate these animal models.

Topper SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research experience)
2017-2019
West Virginia EPSCoR
$129,900.00
Description: The purpose of this grant is to provide and generate a community of learning for West Liberty University Biology and Chemistry majors. Monies ascertained were used to provide summer research stipends to 33 WLU science students.

Center for Natural Products Research
2017-2018
West Virginia INBRE
$42,150
Description:  This grant allows West Liberty researchers to investigate a novel immunostimulatory compounds that may have potential for use as a therapeutic against infectious diseases.  This grant will also allow West Liberty Undergraduates to travel to the FDA (Washington, DC) to conduct a portion of this research.  Moreover, this grant provides stipends for two undergraduate researchers.

WV-INBRE Center for Natural Products Grant
08/1/2016 – 07/31/2017
Investigation of aloe emodin and other novel antibiotics from natural products
$30,000 (direct costs)
Role: Principal Investigator (PI)

WV-NASA Space Grant Consortium
5/16  –  5/17
NASA West Virginia EPSCOR
$20,000 (direct costs)
College University Collaboration Program
Genetic engineering of Francisella tularensis LVS for use as a novel live vaccine platform
Role: PI

WV-INBRE (NIH)
9/14 – 8/17
Major PUI grant
$375,000 (direct costs)
Francisella tularensis types I and Vl secretion systems in erythrocyte invasion
Role: PI

WV-EPSCoR
01/01/2017 – 12/31/2020
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
$129,900  (direct costs)
Training Opportunity for Pre-Professionals, Educators, and Researchers in undergraduate STEM investigations — “TOPPER”
Role: PI

WV-EPSCoR
01/01/2014 – 12/31/2016
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience
$156,000 (direct costs)
Training Opportunity for Pre-Professionals, Educators, and Researchers in undergraduate STEM investigations — “TOPPER”
Role: PI

WV-INBRE Center for Natural Products Grant
08/1/2015 – 07/31/2016
Characterization and discovery of novel antibiotics from natural products
$30,000 (direct costs)
Role: PI

WV-INBRE Equipment Grant
03/2016 – 07/31/2016
$49,550.45
Role: PI

WV-INBRE Center for Natural Products Grant
01/15/2014 – 07/31/2015
Modification of resazurin to increase in vivo efficacy as an antibiotic therapy
$25,000 (direct costs)
Role: Co-PI

1K22AI087703-01A1 (NIAID)
07/01/2012 – 06/30/2015
Francisella tularensis invasion of human erythrocytes
$250,000 (direct costs)
Role: Principal Investigator

WL Faculty Development Grant
10/14-5/15
The temperature-dependent uptake of gentamicin into Francisella tularensis.
$1,400
Role: PI

WV-INBRE
7/2014
Equipment grant
$66,420
Role: PI

NASA
05/01/2013 – 4/30/2014
West Virginia Space Grant Consortium
$30,000
The use of genetically modified Francisella tularensis as a novel live vaccine platform
Role: PI

WL Faculty Development Grant
11/13-5/14
$2,000
The mechanism of the temperature-dependent antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria.
Role: PI

WV-INBRE
1/14-7/14
Center for Natural Products pilot grant
$25,000 direct costs
The use of resazurin and resorufin as novel antibacterial therapies
Role: Co-PI

WV-INBRE (NIH)
5/12 – 7/14
Major PUI grant
$250,000 direct costs
The mechanism of erythrocyte invasion by Francisella tularensis

WL Faculty Development Grant
11/12-5/13
$2,000
A genetic approach to investigate the temperature-dependent antibiotic resistance of Francisella tularensis and other pathogenic bacteria                                                              

NIH LRP, NIAID
7/08 – 613
$49,460
Characterization of the pediatric innate immune response to pathogenic bacteria and agents of bioterror; comparing Francisella tularensis invasion of adult and cord blood erythrocytes.

WL Faculty Development Grant
3/12-5/12
$2,000
Investigation of the temperature-dependent antibiotic resistance of Francisella tularensis and other pathogenic bacteria.

WV-NASA
10/11-5/12
$2,000
Genetic modification of Francisella tularensis LVS for use as a novel live vaccine platform.

T32 AI060525
9/07-8/09
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA)
Institutional Research Training Grant.  Immunology and Infectious Diseases
Temperature regulation of Francisella tularensis virulence determinants – Renewed (competitive) in 9/08.

Patents:

Use of resazurin, or analogs thereof, for antibacterial therapy
WO2014070760 A1
US20150258103
Inventors: Joseph A. Horzempa (principal inventor), Dawn M. Henson, Gerard J. Nau

Antimicrobial Compositions and Related Methods
U.S. Patent Application No. 63/062,767
Provisional application filed
Inventors: Elliot Collins, Francisco Leon, and Joseph Horzempa

The Horzempa Lab:

Interests and Hobbies:

I enjoy spending time with my family, playing guitar, sports, and being the household handyman.